European Short-Course, Day 2 Finals: Eneli Jefimova Earns Emotional 100 Breaststroke Gold In Otopeni

Eneli Jefimova: Picture Courtesy: European Aquatics

European Short-Course, Day 2 Finals: Eneli Jefimova Earns Emotional 100 Breaststroke Title In Otopeni

Eneli Jefimova was holding back the tears after she claimed 100m breaststroke gold at the European Short-Course Championships in Otopeni, Rome.

Noe Ponti set a European 100 fly record of 48.47: read more here.

Women’s 50m Freestyle

Michelle Coleman added the individual title to the 4×50 free gold she won with Sweden, stopping the clock in 23.52 ahead of Beryl Gastaldello (23.71).

Julie Kepp Jensen took bronze in 23.89.

Michelle Coleman: Picture courtesy: European Aquatics

It was the first individual title of Coleman’s career which has spanned World and European medals over the course of 10 years in the long and short-course pools.

She said:

“You know, this such a great feeling to claim an individual gold medal finally.

“There were moments when this could have happened, but I couldn’t make it.

“Now I did and it’s great as I’m approaching the end of my career.

“I’m 30 years old, not much left for me in swimming.

“Still, I could show that I’m able to win a title at a European Championships and this makes me really happy.”

Men’s 50m Backstroke

Mewen Tomac came from third at halfway with an 11.57 second 25 to win in a PB of 22.84 for his first senior individual medley,

Ole Braunschweig was second in 23.00 with Lorenzo Mora and Thierry Bollin sharing third in 23.10.

Women’s 100m Breaststroke

Eneli Jefimova came back on the final 25 to overhaul Benedetta Pilato for victory in 1:03.21 with the Italian second in 1:03.76.

Tes Schouten was third in 1:04.04.

It was an Estonian record for Jefimova who upgraded silver at Kazan 2021 in the same Otopeni pool in which she won the breaststroke treble at the 2022 European Junior Championships.

She said:

“Sorry, emotions are taking over… I’m overjoyed. This is the first-ever European gold medal for Estonia.

“I’m so grateful for everyone, for my family, my coaches, team-mates. I won gold medals here last year at the juniors, but this is different. A dream come true.”

Women’s 800 Free

Anastasia Kirpichnikova enjoyed a dominant win in 8:08.48 ahead of Simona Quadarella (8:14.33) and Ajna Kesely (8:18.73).

It was a second straight title for Kirpichnikova who attained French citizenship in April after representing Russia.

Quadarella claimed her second straight European short-course silver in the event and fourth consecutive medal after first appearing on the podium at Copenhagen 2017.

Nicolo Martinenghi of Italy reacts after competing in the 50m Breaststroke Men Semifinal during the 20th World Aquatics Championships at the Marine Messe Hall A in Fukuoka (Japan), July 25th, 2023.

Nicolo Martinenghi: Photo Courtesy: Andrea Masini / Deepbluemedia / Insidefoto

Men’s 4×50 Medley Relay

Mora returned to lead off the Italian quartet in the 4x50m medley relay in 22.98 with Nicolo Martinenghi (25.32), Thomas Ceccon (22.05) and Lorenzo Zazzeri (20.47) ensuring the world champions retained their European title in 1:30.78.

Britain (1:32.60) and the Netherlands (1:33.03) claimed silver and bronze respectively.

Otopeni Semifinals

Men’s 50 Free

Ben Proud booked lane four for the final in 20.66 with Lorenzo Zazzeri (20.85) and Szebasztian Szabo (20.87) also through.

Women’s 200 Fly

Angelina Kohler went through in 2:05.02 ahead of Emily Large (2:05.47) and Lana Pudar (2:05.57).

Keanna MacInnes was DQd after having initially progressed from the second semi following a lengthy video judging review.

Men’s 100m Breaststroke

Arno Kamminga will be in lane four in Thursday’s final after going 56.37 ahead of Emre Sakci (56.68) and training partner Caspar Corbeau (56.85).

Nicolo Martinenghi made it through in 57.08.

Women’s 200m Backstroke

Medi Harris was comfortably the fastest qualifier in 2:02.58 ahead of Pauline Mahieu (2:03.22) and Katie Shanahan (2:03.73).

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